"Slade is not a deadbeat dad and is making timely payments," his attorney
tells TMZ. "We will be looking into this further, and if Miss Arroyo did hire these clowns to harass Slade, we will exercise all our rights including a restraining order if necessary."

His attorney adds that Slade's ex his denying him time with his 11-year-old son, Grayson, who is battling cancer.

The man who assaulted Gretchen and Slade said he owes Michelle $160,000 in child support, but Michelle says he is $95,000 behind in payments.

"It appears this whole thing was staged and created by Miss Arroyo who is obviously looking for attention," his attorney says.

Gretchen, meanwhile, took to Twitter with a series of posts to defend Slade against the allegations.

"He has been fighting for 3yrs in court! Calling her out will only hurt His son and he won't stoop to that level!" she
responded to one follower who suggested Slade should fight back against his ex.

"I am deathly loyal & will always fight for what is right and the truth! I will not lay down on this one bottom line! People cannot just say untruths and not be held accountable," she
wrote in another post.